Prefabricated modular rough plumbing

ABSTRACT

A prefabricated modular rough plumbing unit for use in residential building construction is described. The rough plumbing is incorporated in a section of interior wall framework that can readily be integrated with the framing carpentry during construction. Plumbing waste piping is so arranged as to permit direct connection with plumbing fixtures such as bathtubs and water closets installed at the same floor level as that of the modular wall section, thereby obviating any requirement for below the flooring waste or soil piping installation prior to installation of the modular unit.

United States Patent 1191 Willkins Nov. 27, 1973 54] PREFABRICATED MODULAR ROUGH 3,162,863 12/1964 Wokas 4/211 UX PLUMBING [76] Inventor: Donald E. Willkins, 10520 SW. EmminehflenrylT' Klinksiek 185th Ten, Miami, Fla Attorney-Ernest H. Schmidt 22 Filed: Feb. 9, 1972 7 ABSTRA T 21 Appl. No.: 224,652 [5 1 C A prefabricated modular rough plumbing unit for use in residential building construction is described. The

[2%] :LS'il. 137/3155, {H21 1 rough plumbing is incorporated in a Section of interior f 9 wall framework that can readily be integrated with the le d 0 earc l, l 7, a g c rpe try d g construction. 285/150 156 waste piping is so arranged as to permit direct connection with plumbing fixtures such as bathtubs and water [56] References Cited closets installed at the same floor level as that of the UNITED STATES PATENTS modular wall section, thereby obviating any require- 3,358,298 12/1967 Beyerle 4/211 ment for below the flooring waste or soil piping instal- 1,700,230 1/1929 Luff 4/211 lation prior to installation of the modular unit. 2,216,460 /1940 Sisk 4/211 2,653,357 9/1953 Sanders et a]. 4/2ll X 7 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures L5 1 2 Fill i /4a/ /4/-- I 4 I f /0 y 23' 7 22 55 ii I l] 7 L g *3/ H1 12 I 1 1 2/ w 1 i: E l

(I .4 o z 2% (/7 /z2, 5 g7 PREFABRICATED MODULAR ROUGH PLUMBING This invention relates to plumbing installations for new housing and is directed particularly to a novel and improved prefabricated modular rough plumbing unit that can readily be installed by unskilled labor during the framing of new homes or apartment buildings.

In ordinary building construction it is customary to install the plumbing system, particularly those portions to be hidden within the walls, i.e., the rough plumbing or piping of water and waste, soil, sewer and vent lines, during various stages of construction, such as before the pouring of a ground floor slab, during the erection of exterior walls, during interior framing, etc. After each stage of such installation, an official inspection must be made before further work, such as the lathing or closing of stud walls containing the plumbing, can be undertaken. Because of the high cost of skilled labor and the waste of time involved in making several trips to the job site during ordinary plumbing installation procedures heretofore used, and because of the loss of time involved while awaiting official inspections, the cost of plumbing installation in even the simplest of home constructions has risen sharply over the last several years.

It is, accordingly, the principal object of this invention to obviate the above described deficiencies of plumbing installation procedures hereto fore employed in residential building construction.

A more particular object of the invention is to provide a prefabricated modular rough plumbing unit the rough plumbing of which will be contained and supported within a wall framework section that can readily be installed as part of a building wall structure.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a prefabricated modular rough plumbing unit of the above nature including soil line piping connectable through an exterior building wall to permit installation directly upon a finished floor slab, thereby eliminating any necessity of installing subsurface sewer or soil lines prior to the pouring of a ground floor slab.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a prefabricated modular rough plumbing unit of the above nature which can be manufactured by assembly line techniques and tested and sealed prior to delivery and erection at the construction site for installation at substantially no additional labor cost over that required in ordinary interior wall construction.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a prefabricated modular device of the character described which is particularly well suited for fabrication with the use of synthetic plastic piping, particularly of the waste system, for increased economy and lightness in weight for easy storage and transport.

Yet another object is to provide a prefabricated modular unit of the character described which includes all the rough plumbing necessary for back-to-back construction of kitchen, bathroom and utility room facilities.

Another object of the invention is to provide a prefabricated modular rough plumbing unit of the above nature which can readily be interconnected in vertical alignment with similar or identical modular units for rough plumbing installation in multi-story residential construction.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description when read with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, wherein like reference numberals denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a prefabricated modular rough plumbing unit embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial horizontal cross-sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1 in the direction of the arrows; and

FIG. 3 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken along the line 33 of FIG. 2 in the direction of the arrows.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, reference numeral 10 in FIG. 1 designates, generally, a prefabricated modular rough plumbing unit embodying the invention for back-to-back plumbing installation directly upon a building slab during framing of the building. The plumbing unit 10 comprises a wall framework 11, preferably of 2X6 lumber, including a bottom plate 12, a top plate 13 and vertical studs 14a through 14f The studs 14a through 14f, which include between them all the necessary rough plumbing, will preferably be spaced 16 inches on centers, in accordance with usual building code requirements. If the full length of the wall required in the building in which the plumbing unit 10 is to be installed is only slightly longer than the length afforded by the six studs -a through 14f, such required length can be provided for by extending the lengths of the bottom and top plates 12 and 13-by the required amount and adding an additional end stud 14g. The overall height of the plumbing unit 10 will preferably be the full height of the partition required in the building under construction. It is to be understood, however, that the wall framework 11 could be shortened to the extent permitted by the interior plumbing to facilitate storage and transportation of the modular units. In such instances, it will be necessary for the carpenter, upon installation of the rough plumbing unit, to continue the stud work to the required room height.

The modular unit 10 is designed for back-to-back plumbing installation accommodating a bathroom tub and shower water closet and lavatory at one side of the wall, and a kitchen and water heater or clothes washer and water heater at the other side of the wall.

As best illustrated in FIG. 1, the modular unit 10 comprises a short length of soil pipe 15 resting upon the bottom plate 12 at one end thereof and extending through openings at the lower ends of the vertical studs 14a and 14b. One end of the soil pipe 15 extends through the outer stud 14a, whereat it is joined to a 45Y branch 16 extending in the horizontal direction. The inner end of the soil pipe 15 is joined to a 45Y branch 17 the branch arm of which is directed up wardly. The upper end of the Y branch 17 is joined to a 45 elbow or bend 18 extending upwardly between the wall framework studs 14!; and 140. The 45 bend 18 connects in vertical succession with a first sanitary tap tee 19, a second sanitary tap tee 20, a length of vent stack pipe 21, a sanitary tee 22 and a length of pipe 23 continuing the vent stack through an opening in the top plate 13. The inward, horizontally-extending portion of the 45Y branch 17 connects with a short length of horizontal soil pipe 24 terminating in a 1 I16 bend 25 the outer end of which is connected with a closet bend 26 extending horizontally outward at one side of the wall framework 11 in vertically spaced relation above the bottom plate 12.

The branch portion of the 45Y branch 16, which extends horizontally outwardly of the same side of the wall framework 11 as the closet bend 26, joins with a horizontally disposed bend 27 (see FIG. 2). The outer end of the A bend 27 is joined with a sanitary tee 28, the branch portion of which extends upwardly and inwardly at an angle of approximately 45 with respect to the vertical wall framework 11. The outer end of the branch portion of the sanitary tee 28 joins with a vertically-upwardly-extending ,4; bend 29 between the wall framework studs 14a and 14b (see FIGS. 2 and 3). The ,4. bend 29 connects with a vertical vent pipe 30 terminating in a 90 bend or elbow 31 directed inwardly toward the vent stack pipe 23 and joined therewith through a horizontal vent pipe 32 connected with the branch portion of the sanitary tee 22.

A slightly pitched, substantially horizontal waste pipe 33 extending through openings in the vertical studs 14c, 14d, and Me is joined at one end with the waste branch portion of the sanitary tap tee 20, and connects at its outer end, with a 90 bend 34 extending outwardly of the wall framework 11 at the same side as the closet bend 26.

A short length of horizontally-extending waste pipe 33a extending through the wall framework stud 14c connects at one end with the waste branch portion of the sanitary tap tee 19, and connects at its outer end with a downwardly-directed elbow 34a. The outer end of the elbow 34a joins with a U bend 34b which, together with said elbow, provides a P-trap for a vertical length of drain pipe 34c to accommodate a washing machine installation at that side of the wall framework 11 opposite the closet bend 26. Alternatively, the drain pipe 340 could be used for waste connection of a kitchen sink. The above described drain and waste piping will preferably be assembled with use of synthetic plastic components, such as polyvinyl chloride, otherwise known as PVC piping for polyvinyl of construction and lightness in weight. It is to be noted, however, that copper pipe, or other piping could as well be used wherever required or preferred, without departing from the invention.

In the assembly of the above described piping it will be understood that the drain line will be slightly pitched in such direction as to insure drainage into the vertical stack and outwardly through the horizontal soil pipe 15 into the 45Y branch 16. The sanitary tee 28 is directed sidewardly outwardly of the wall framework 11 as a waste connection for a bathtub. It is therefore kept as low as possible to permit installation of an ordinary bathtub at slab level. To this end the bottom plate 12 will preferably be in the form of a thin bent-metal channel plate having upstanding sidewall portions 12a, 12b upon which such piping can rest and be secured in place by means of the wall framework studs 14a, 14b, and 140.

The piping including the vent pipes 32 and 30 interconnecting the sanitary tee 28 and the vent stack pipe 23 provide back venting for the bathtub upon its installation in accordance with plumbing code requirements and to insure free bathtub drainage. That portion of the above-described waste system extending outwardly of the end stud 14a, more particularly the 45Y branch 16 and a portion of its associated A; bend 27, is adapted to extend through an outside wall of the building in which the modular unit is to be installed. Thus, upon installation, a suitable side wall opening will be provided for the 45Y branch 16 for connection to an outside cleanout fitting and/or the sewer line. Thus, in installation, the outer vertical stud 14a of the unit wall framework is adapted to be secured against an inside wall portion in the building under construction in the same manner as one would secure in place wall studding in ordinary house construction. It will thus be understood that the carpenter, during the interior framing of the house, will be able to install the modular unit 10 in place in accordance with the plans without the aid of an on-the-job plumber.

In addition to the above described waste piping, the modular unit 10 will also include within its framework hot and cold water supply piping stubbed out for subsequent connection with plumbing fixtures, a hot water heater, etc. To this end a cold water supply pipe 35 extends horizontally through all framework studs 14a, 14b 14c, 14d and 14c for connection with a sidewardlyoutwardly-extending water closet stub pipe 36, a cold water bathroom lavatory stub 37 and a vertical cold water line or riser 38 for use in multi-storing construction. The cold water input pipe also connects with a utility cold water stub-out pipe 39 for supplying a clothes washer, or kitchen sink for example, and vertical cold water pipe 40 having a T-fitting 41 at its upper end extending into an antiwater-hammer air chamber 42. The T-fitting 41 joins with a sidewardly-outwardlyextending cold water stub (not illustrated) for water supply to a hot water heater. The vertical cold water pipe 40 also connects with the cold water side of a diverter 43 connecting with a shower riser 44 and a tub faucet stub 45. A T-fitting 46 located in laterallyspaced relation with respect to the T-fitting 41 between the vertical studs 14a and 14b is connected with an an upwardly-extending hot water riser 47 for use in multistory construction and in instances where hot water connection to remote fixtures is to be made through the ceiling in single story construction. The T-fitting 46 is stubbed out for subsequent connection with the hot water outlet of a water heater, and joins with a downwardly-extending hot water pipe 48. The hot water pipe 48 connects through T-fitting 49 to the hot water side of the diverter fitting 43, and passes laterally through wall studs 14b, 14c, 14d and 14 for connection with utility area hot water stub-out pipe 480 and bathroom lavatory stub 50. The stub 50 extends sidewardlyoutwardly of a T-fitting 51 the upper end of which joins with an anti-water-hammer air chamber 52. A hot water relief pipe 53 extending sidewardly through the outer wall framework stud 14a below the cold water supply pipe 35 and extending upwardly through vertical pipe 54 to terminate in the sidewardly-outwardlyextending stub 55 is provided for connection with the pressure relief valve of a hot water heater upon its subsequent installation.

While cold and hot water riser pipes 38 and 47 are illustrated in FIG. 1 and described herein, it will be understood that these need to be supplied only for interconnection with identical or similar modular plumbing units aligned vertically above in multi-story building construction, and in instances where overhead supply connection and/or remote fixture connection is to be made through the ceiling joists. It is also to be understood that both the waste and hot and cold water systems will be sealed and pressure tested before sealing to insure against leakage after installation. Since such pressure testing and sealing of the units will be done at the factory, official inspection thereof by governmental plumbing inspectors will also be accomplished at the factory under quantity production techniques. Thus, not only will there result a substantial savings in time for the plumbing inspector, but there will be no delay for inspection of the rough plumbing upon installation of the units. Since no inspection of the rough plumbing thus installed will be required at the job site, building construction can proceed without delay on this account for efficient and economical use of time and labor.

While I have illustrated and described herein only one form in which my invention can conveniently be embodied in practice, it is to be understood that this form is presented by way of example only and not in a limiting sense. The invention, in brief, comprises all the embodiments and modifications coming within the scope and spirit of the following claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A prefabricated modular rough plumbing unit comprising in combination, a section of wall framework having spaced, parallel, top and bottom plate members interconnected with laterally-spaced vertical stud members, a system of waste piping contained within said framework and comprising substantially horizontally-extending soil piping and a verticallyextending stack, said horizontally-extending soil piping resting upon an upper surface portion of said bottom plate, a closet bend extending outwardly of one side of said wall framework in spaced relation above said bottom plate for connection therewith of a wall hung water closet, means connecting said closet bend with said soil piping at one end thereof, soil pipe branch means communicating with said soil piping and extending outwardly of said wall framework at the same side as said closet bend for connection with a bathtub trap, the longitudinal axis of said soil pipe branch means lying in a substantially horizontal plane coincident with the longitudinal axis of said soil piping, and vent piping communicating between said soil pipe branch means and said vertical stack, said soil pipe branch means comprising a 45Y branch connected serially with the other end of said soil piping, a bend connected with the branch arm of said 45 branch and a sanitary tap tee connected with said /a bend, said vent piping being connected with the sweep arm of said sanitary tap tee.

2. A prefabricated modular rough plumbing unit as defined in claim 1 wherein said sanitary tap tee sweep arm is directed upwardly and inwardly towards said framework, and wherein said vent piping comprises laterally and vertically extending vent pipes contained within the confines of said wall framework and a bend connecting the lower end of said vertically-extending vent pipe with said sanitary tape tee sweep arm.

3. A prefabricated modular rough plumbing unit as defined in claim 2 including a first sanitary tap tee connected in series with said vertically extending stack, and soil piping connecting with the sweep arm of said sanitary tap tee and extending outwardly of said one side of said wall framework for connection thereto of a lavatory.

4. A prefabricated modular rough plumbing unit as defined in claim 3 including a second sanitary tap tee connected in series with said stack, and second soil piping connected with the sweep arm of said second sanitary tap tee and extending outwardly of the other side of said wall framework for connection thereto, selec tively, of a washing machine drain or a kitchen sink.

5. A prefabricated modular rough plumbing unit as defined in claim 4 including hot and cold water piping contained within said framework and comprising water stub-out members extending sidewardly outwardly of said wall framework at positions for servicing a bathtub to be connected with said soil pipe branch means, a lavatory to be connected with said lavatory soil piping and a washing machine or kitchen sink to be connected, selectively with said second soil piping.

6. A prefabricated modular rough plumbing unit as defined in claim 5 wherein said vertically extending stack extends upwardly through said top plate member.

7. A prefabricated modular rough plumbing unit as defined in claim 6 wherein said bottom plate member is of channel-shaped sheet metal having upwardlyextending sidewall portions embracing opposed lower side end portions of said vertical stud members. 

1. A prefabricated modular rough plumbing unit comprising in combination, a section of wall framework having spaced, parallel, top and bottom plate members interconnected with laterally-spaced vertical stud members, a system of waste piping contained within said framework and comprising substantially horizontallyextending soil piping and a vertically-extending stack, said horizontally-extending soil piping resting upon an upper surface portion of said bottom plate, a closet bend extending outwardly of one side of said wall framework in spaced relation above said bottom plate for connection therewith of a wall hung water closet, means connecting said closet bend with said soil piping at one end thereof, soil pipe branch means communicating with said soil piping and extending outwardly of said wall framework at the same side as said closet bend for connection with a bathtub trap, the longitudinal axis of said soil pipe branch means lying in a substantially horizontal plane coincident with the longitudinal axis of said soil piping, and vent piping communicating between said soil pipe branch means and said vertical stack, said soil pipe branch means comprising a 45*Y branch connected serially with the other end of said soil piping, a 1/8 bend connected with the branch arm of said 45* branch and a sanitary tap tee connected with said 1/8 bend, said vent piping being connected with the sweep arm of said sanitary tap tee.
 2. A prefabricated modular rough plumbing unit as defined in claim 1 wherein said sanitary tap tee sweep arm is directed upwardly and inwardly towards said framework, and wherein said vent piping comprises laterally and vertically extending vent pipes contained within the confines of said wall framework and a bend connecting the lower end of said vertically-extending vent pipe with said sanitary tape tee sweep arm.
 3. A prefabricated modular rough plumbing unit as defined in claim 2 including a first sanitary tap tee connected in series with said vertically extending stack, and soil piping connecting with the sweep arm of said sanitary tap tee and extending outwardly of said one side of said wall framework for connection thereto of a lavatory.
 4. A prefabricated modular rough plumbing unit as defined in claim 3 including a second sanitary tap tee connected in series with said stack, and second soil piping connected with the sweep arm of said second sanitary tap tee and extending outwardly of the other side of said wall framework for connection thereto, selectively, of a washing machine drain or a kitchen sink.
 5. A prefabricated modular rough plumbing unit as defined in claim 4 including hot and cold water piping contained within said framework and comprising water stub-out members extending sidewardly outwardly of said wall framework at positions for servicing a bathtub to be connected with said soil pipe branch means, a lavatory to be connected with said lavatory soil piping and a washing machine or kitchen sink to be connected, selectively with said second soil piping.
 6. A prefabricated modular rough plumbing unit as defined in claim 5 wherein said vertically extending stack extends upwardly through said top plate member.
 7. A prefabricated modular rough plumbing unit as defined in claim 6 wherein said bottom plate member is of channel-shaped sheet metal having upwardly-extending sidewall portions embracing opposed lower side end portions of said vertical stud members. 